By Duncan Mackay

Commonwealth Arena_renaming_ceremony_September_28_2012September 28 - Airline Emirates today announced that they have secured the naming rights to the new state-of-the-art Commonwealth Arena, which will be one of the main venues during Glasgow 2014, but will have to negotiate a separate sponsorship deal if they want it to retain its title during the Games.


The £113 million ($182 million/€142 million) complex, next to Celtic Park in the city's East End, will be called the Emirates Arena until 2022 under terms of the £5 million ($8 million/€6 million) sponsorship.

But it will be known as the Commonwealth Arena during Glasgow 2014, when it is due to host the badminton, unless the airline, which is based in Dubai and is the Middle East's largest carrier, agrees to another multi-million pound deal to become a sponsor of the Games.

Commonwealth Arena_with_Emirates_branding_2_September_28_2012The Commonwealth Arena is due to host badminton during Glasgow 2014 but will be the home for several sports

Such an arrangement already exists with SSE plc, who will be the headline sponsor of the Hydro, which is currently being built and will host gymnastics and netball during Glasgow 2014. 

"All Glasgow 2014 venues will need to be 'clean' at Games time, unless, as has happened with the 'Hydro' a commercial arrangement has been reached as part of a sponsorship deal for the Games," a Glasgow 2014 spokeswoman told insidethegames.

The situation is similar to London 2012 where The O2 - formerly the Millennium Dome - was rechristened the North Greenwich Arena during the Olympics and Paralympics because of strict marketing rules. 

But insidethegames understands that Emirates are already in discussions with Glasgow 2014 officials to strike a deal that will ensure the Arena keeps its new name during the Games.

Emirates has a long history of supporting sport both in the UK and worldwide, including the International Cricket Council, the FIFA World Cup, the 2012 Ryder Cup and Premier League Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London.

Emirates Stadium_exteriorEmirates have owned the naming rights to the home of Premier League Arsenal since it opened in 2006

"All discussions with prospective sponsors are commercially-sensitive and confidential," the Glasgow 2014 spokeswoman told insidethegames.

"We do not comment on speculation and, as such, questions about 'potential' deals are speculation.

"Positive and detailed negotiations are on-going with a number of sponsors across a range of categories and tiers.

"We are pleased at how these are progressing and plan to make further  announcements over coming weeks and months, but will not be drawn on speculation in the meantime."

The new Arena, which is next to the adjoining Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, is located in Dalmarnock alongside the Athletes' Village for Glasgow 2014. 

The indoor arena will have 6,500 spectator seats when set up for sporting competitions, and the facility will be a national training centre for athletics, basketball, netball and volleyball.

"As a truly global airline we are committed to connecting people and cultures and this new sponsorship in Glasgow is a true reflection of this commitment," said Richard Jewsbury, Emirates' senior vice-president commercial operations Europe. 

"We sponsor a number of the world's most prominent international sporting and cultural events and this multi-million pound agreement will not only help to inject significant funds into the Glasgow economy, but will also highlight Glasgow's place on the international sporting stage."

Commonwealth Arena_opening_day_posterThe Emirates Arena is set to become a centre of sporting excellence in Glasgow once it officially opens next week

The Arena is due to officially open to the public next Saturday (October 6) and will be the new home of the Glasgow Rocks, the only Scottish team in the British Basketball League.

"This is a fantastic deal for the people of Glasgow," said Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council 

"Many of the world's top sports venues already enjoy the considerable benefits and prestige secured through a naming rights agreement and this partnership with Emirates puts us firmly in that elite group.

"The Emirates Arena is a truly world-class venue that will host a genuinely world-class sporting events programme.

"This partnership will bring that venue and global brand together and it will be the people of Glasgow who will reap the benefits.

"Over the next 10 years this multi-million pound deal will leave a lasting legacy.

"We are one of the world's top 10 sporting cities and the Emirates Arena will play a huge part in ensuring we retain and build on that position in the coming years.

"We can't wait for the action to get underway at the Emirates Arena."

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